New
Opinion Research Shows American Voters Reject
“Going It Alone”
and Embrace International Cooperation
New Consensus Emerging on Value of Forging Global
Partnerships to Enhance Security, Reduce Foreign
Oil Dependence, Address Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC (November
13, 2007) — The United Nations Foundation
and its sister organization, the Better World
Campaign, released today the results of a six-month
public opinion research project indicating the
attacks of 9/11 and the Iraq war have scrambled
the traditional contours to which voters used
to adhere on key questions of America’s
role around the world. Once-reliable voting blocs
have reorganized; old turns of phrase carry new
meanings.
“An underlying shift is occurring in American
attitudes regarding the international role and
priorities of the United States. Voters across
the party spectrum understand that America’s
reputation has faltered, and believe this is a
problem for the nation that needs attention and
repair,” said Timothy E. Wirth, President
of the United Nations Foundation. “Voters
also reject the idea of the United States ‘going
it alone’ and strongly prefer that the United
States work in partnership with other countries
to solve the world’s key challenges.”
Key highlights of the research include:
• The overwhelming majority of American
voters believe that America’s reputation
has suffered in the world. 78% of all voters (and
80% of swing voters) believe the United States
is less respected by other countries than it has
been in the past.
• Voters are virtually unanimous (86% of
all voters) in the belief that working with major
allies, and through international organizations,
is a wiser strategy for achieving U.S. international
affairs goals.
• 73% of all voters are more likely to vote
for a candidate for President who understands
that “solutions to world problems require
international cooperation, whether they are economic
problems, environmental problems, or problems
of peace and war – we cannot do it alone.
International cooperation is a better way of solving
some of the world’s key problems”.
• 70% of voters are more likely to vote
for a candidate for President who agrees with
the idea that it “is important for us to
work more constructively with countries around
the world to put a stop to growing anti-American
feelings and distrust of the United States abroad.
We need to restore trust in America through strong
diplomatic efforts and cooperative partnerships
with other nations around the world.”
Concern is also growing
over America’s dependence upon foreign oil
across the political spectrum. It now ranks just
below terrorism as voters’ second highest
international priority, and the issue is a top
priority for Republicans, Democrats, and swing
voters alike.
“Solving the world’s most difficult
challenges – climate change and energy issues,
nuclear proliferation, and terrorism – can
only be accomplished if the United States and
other nations work together,” Wirth said.
“This research clearly demonstrates that
the majority of Americans want to take a new direction
in international affairs, one that advances our
security by restoring America’s reputation,
fosters partnerships with the rest of the world
and tackles global challenges.”
The research also shows how changing American
attitudes are realigning old assumptions about
certain voting blocs: young people, disillusioned
by the war in Iraq, are “new isolationists”
while a key segment of GOP primary voters are
increasingly open to the idea of international
cooperation. Overall, a sharp generational difference
has opened in the United States, with older Americans
more inclined to support U.S. involvement in international
affairs.
The research, undertaken by a bipartisan polling
team led by Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies
and Geoff Garin of Peter D. Hart Research Associates,
is the most extensive on this subject to date,
reflecting the results of nine focus groups in
Alabama, California, Iowa, Maine and New Mexico
and a national survey of 800 likely voters and
an oversample with a total of 400 swing voters.
The poll was conducted September 16, 18-23, 2007.
The margin of error on a sample of 800 is + 3.46%
and the margin of error for the oversample was
+ 4.9%.
About the UN Foundation
The UN Foundation, created in 1998 with entrepreneur
and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic
$1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities,
builds and implements public-private partnerships
that address the world’s most pressing problems.
Its partnerships and campaigns have global reach,
and cut across diverse issue areas, including:
protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable
development; providing insecticide-treated bed
nets to prevent the spread of malaria in Africa;
and increasing access to technology for international
humanitarian relief and public health workers.
For more information about the United Nations
Foundation, visit www.unfoundation.org.
